3.22.2016

the find: relaxed garconne loafers


longtime readers of LAM know that i love a classic leather flat.

now that we're almost in ankle-jean-and-sockless-shoe weather, i'm eyeing adding a pair or two of what i've dubbed the 'relaxed garconne' loafers to my rotation (they'll be in good company with favorite Vince slip-ons - reviewed here). about a year or so ago, i stumbled upon a pair of Newbark loafers on major sale, and they turned out to be one of my best random sale buys of the year. incredibly comfortable and lightweight without being delicate, excellent travel flats.

they're not super widely known or carried in many stores, but the buttery leather and exotic textures make them easily recognizable. i like to think of them as a luxe leather version of my TOMs (also a warm-weather staple). the one major downside is their high retail price, but look for them on sale (right now there is a good selection on deep discount here). the pair that i snagged on sale were marked as 'handmade in LA', so that's likely part of the pricing equation. for me, they're a happy medium between the more structured Dieppas and the delicate, floppy Martinianos.

do you have a go-to spring shoe? what's on your shoe radar this season?

17 comments:

  1. I love the ankle length pants, and loafers season we are heading into, right now.
    My go to shoes: brogues. My current favorite are patent leather black ones.
    For this spring, I want to experiment with platform brogues.
    ~ http://myeyeseyes.blogspot.com

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    1. ah yes, brogues! i'm secretly crushing on the prada platform brogues myself...

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  2. We don't have much of a seasonal change in Los Angeles, but I have my eye on a pair of huarache sandals from Nisolo and I love the white perforated leather Vans slip ons.

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  3. I am all about my Varas in the spring or Lanvin satin sneakers. They are so comfortable, elegant and go with everything from a dress to a pair of jeans.
    I ordered a pair of Dieppa patent boots over the winter holidays but the leather and the finishing looked pretty awful - nothing like the brogues I have seen on various bloggers. Maybe they just don't do patent well.

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    1. it seems that DR can vary a bit, but no one does a patent like Ferragamo imo.

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    2. No one does shoes like Ferragamo :)

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  4. I do have spring go-to shoes and it is also loafers! Well, that's a lie - I wear them all year round tbh. To me there's really nothing as chic and as versatile as a loafer!
    xx, blog.moiminnie.com

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  5. These are more of a hybrid between a loafer and a ballet flat, but I recently treated myself to a pair of Charlotte Olympia kitty flats when they popped up in my size on The RealReal. It's rained more than usual this spring in San Francisco, so I have to check the forecast before I wear them, but they really do go with everything and bring a smile to peoples' faces. :)

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    1. i love the kitty flats! so whimsical and yet somehow classic.

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  6. I bought myself a pair of red, pointy-toe Gemma flats from J Crew for Spring: https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/flats/PRDOVR~E0200/E0200.jsp?color_name=rhubarb.
    First, they were on back order for months, then, after getting lost when my mailbox blew away in a snowstorm, I reordered them, and one day...Voila! They appeared...sans box, on my doorstep. I guess they really want me. ;-)

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  7. I am loving the cos version of the Martiano looks slightly more feminine - have you seen them?

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    1. i have! great price too compared to the Martinianos.

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  8. I found a great pair of loafers at a thrift shop the other day, I have a feeling they'll be my official work spring shoe. I'm forever lusting over the Maryam Nassir Zadeh 'Roberta' heels, I've yet to see a decent high-street version. I saw them in action this weekend in NYC and they looked amazing.

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    1. i love your loafers from your latest insta! they look perfectly broken in.

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  9. I just received the Newbark loafers today. I'm not usually a fan of loafers, but I love the simplistic design. Slipping them on is incredibly comfortable, they are really well made. The soles are very slippy, is there a way to fix this or should I get them soled.

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    1. the soles are leather and as with all leather soles they're smooth and slippery when new. i'd just 'break in' the soles on pavement :)

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